Chen Junyong (second from right), deputy head of the Xiamen foreign and overseas affairs office, meets with Samuel Kuang-Hsien Chueh (left), business services manager at Philadelphia's Department of Commerce, on Jan 18. [Photo/xmfo.gov.cn/]
A delegation led by Samuel Kuang-Hsien Chueh, business services manager at Philadelphia's Department of Commerce, visited Xiamen, Fujian province on Jan 18 to strengthen exchanges and pragmatic cooperation between the two cities.
Chen Junyong, deputy head of the Xiamen foreign and overseas affairs office, met with the delegation and briefed the development of Xiamen Airlines, construction of a new airport in Xiang'an district, biomedicine port in Haicang district and key disciplines in Xiamen University on the guests.
Samuel briefed Chen on the advantageous industries in Philadelphia. Located on the east coast of the US, Philadelphia enjoys a convenient geographical location. The city is home to the largest college town in the US and approximately 80 percent of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies have set up research and development centers in the city, according to Samuel. Samuel also expressed his wish for direct flights between his city and cities in East Asia.
The two sides discussed cooperation possibilities in sectors such as college exchange programs, health care and investment attraction.
The two cities also agreed on an intention to establish a video conference mechanism and encourage companies to invest in each other's city.
China announced and implemented on May 15 a policy allowing visa-free entry of foreign tourist groups aboard cruise ships via all cruise ship ports along the country's coastline.
China and Georgia are set to waive visa requirements for travelers starting May 28.
